Ezine Archives

Geez, it’s been one intense fall, hasn’t it?! I decided to stay in the U.S. for Election Day during my recent road trip. Felt historic and I wanted to be around for it. Boy it was intense in the household I was staying at, with mostly Clinton supporters aghast as the results came in. This Canadian was just thankful that it wasn’t mine to vote in.

I’m busy running SHIFT-IT School for most of the year. August and early September is a chance to take a break from my usual schedule and squeeze in some travel and exploration before my own classes start up again. I really relish the chance to break away from the computer and take some ‘in-person’ trips.

This season I had two opportunities to attend events as a participant, which is a rare treat given I’m often the one holding space for others. One was a conference in Mt. Shasta, California and the other a workshop in Seattle, Washington. I thought I’d share some thoughts from each as both were rather unique and provocative experiences…

Running SHIFT-IT School and conducting my own Process Practice is hard work. Its work that I truly love and work I’m very appreciative of the opportunity to be able to do, but its hard work nonetheless. That takes a lot out of me on various levels so it’s important I take time to replenish.

A few years ago my kundalini energy awoke (if you aren’t sure what kundalini is or you would like to read my awakening story click here). Some people’s kundalini awakening is an instant process. Other people have a slower more extended process. I’m the latter.

I was coaching a client last week. She’s a Process Professional in the Midwest of the United States who mostly works for not-for-profits in a variety of roles (facilitator, coach, instructor, etc.). She does awesome work for public service providers who do important and needed work in their region for a variety of populations.

Last season she took the online version of my Fundamentals of Working Visually course, given there isn’t much training in Graphic Recording and Graphic Facilitation available in her geographical area. She was inspired by the experience and wanted to keep her momentum rolling so she traveled to British Columbia, Canada to attend my recent Magic Marker Retreat, the advanced visual skills course.

I read an interesting book the other day by an author we haven’t heard from in a while. Her name is Marcia Schafer and her book is called Spirconomics: How to Snatch Back the Future. The sub-title is “How a Hidden Demographic Will Reshape the Emerging World”.

In my private coaching practice, I work with clients over extended periods and often in multiple cycles (people return after months, years and even decades for another round of support). By way of checking in, each new session I usually start by asking “who are you today?!”

I do this because I know people can change in minutes, hours, days and weeks (let alone years) and we as humans can also occupy a diverse range of positions on…

Things happen in clusters in my practice. A certain theme or focus will show up across classes and private sessions. So this article I want to share about one of those themes … the theme of ‘how did you do it’ and ‘how can I do it too’? The ‘it’ being a livelihood which is interesting, fun and sustainable.

When you are in the public eye like me (due to the nature of my work and how I market it) people make all sorts of assumptions and projections.

I’m sure there are other moments earlier in my life, but the defining moment I remember about the power of sound came during an excruciating workshop in 2008.

I was in Las Vegas (should have been my first clue) for a gathering that my American business coach at the time had recommended. She and several of her colleagues that I first learned internet marketing methods from were all getting into the Law of Attraction via this particular man.

If you are new to me, hello I’m Christina Merkley. I’m a seasoned Visual Practitioner and teacher of various process skills including Studio Work, Graphic Recording, Graphic Facilitation and Graphic Coaching (which are related but different approaches).

I teach all sorts of Process Professionals who work with groups and/or individuals how to weave “Working Visually” into your process toolkit. I teach both in-person and online and work with practitioners from across the globe.

Born in ’68 I’m a Gen X’er. Sometimes I find myself wishing I was a Millennial … oh, to be so fluid with technology having grown up a “digital native”. But then I retract that wish because then I wouldn’t have memories of life before computers, the internet, cell phones, wifi and social media! And those memories are precious.

I’ve been using visual techniques with coaching and personal growth since the mid-1990s. And now more and more of my process colleagues are waking up to the power of using these methods with their own clientele.

As a Process Professional I’m constantly curious about the leading edge in high performance and consciousness. I’m a pragmatist too … so I like to research tangible methods that can truly assist my clients and myself to reach greater states of fulfillment, satisfaction and ease in the things that matter most to us (be they professional and/or personal).

Whether you are an old hand at Visual Coaching or are completely new to it, we can all benefit from reflecting on our lives every once in a while: to identify what mid-course corrections we might want to make. Sooooo, in the spirit of this holiday season … I’m gifting you my Mini SHIFT-IT Retreat, complete with 4 Visual Maps and Instruction eBook.

As world events have splashed across our television and electronic devices this past fall, I’ve been wondering how things will trickle down to my local community. What is happening locally with refugee arrivals? What planning and systems are taking place? Are there ways I can help and get involved? Would any of my skills be of assistance?

I have several clients in my practice currently who are dealing with issues of innovation, identity and visibility. About, in essence, being concerned about the practicalities and costs of being their ‘real self’. And, given the Law of Attraction (that like attracts like) I too am dealing with another layer of the onion on these issues in my own business and life too.

For 6 years now, via my Visual Coach Certification, I’ve been mentoring other Process Professionals who work with individuals in how to work visually with their own clientele. Mostly coaches … however therapists, counselors, financial advisors, disability specialists and bodyworkers have also participated.

I’ve been meaning to add a video to my previous blog post about the Focus Wheel Process to better show how it’s done. It’s one my most popular posts according to my stats program even though it’s from years ago.

My new Practical Energy Work course is launching today. It’s been about 6 years in the making … taking up where my last meta-physical type courses left off.

I took a hiatus of sorts because I was going through a deep learning and immersion phase in my own development … as an energetically sensitive human being and as a Process Professional. I get into all that in the course and also share what I’ve learned along the way.

Kundalini is an ancient Sanskrit word. It is a noun that describes an energy that is housed in every human body. Kundalini is the mysterious life force that created our body in the first place, and an extra bundle of it lies dormant within us, apparently coiled at the base of our spine. Given its coiled nature (when dormant) and spiral nature (when active) it’s often visually depicted as a snake. Other words for this energy are prana and chi.

Today is a loaded day in the North American psyche and in the world at large, given the magnitude and effects of the 9/11, 2001 attack. What a heavy timeline it’s been this decade plus in the Middle East and beyond.

For 6 years now, via myVisual Coach Certification, I’ve been mentoring other Process Professionals who work with individuals in how to work visually with their own clientele. Mostly coaches … however therapists, counselors, financial advisors, disability specialists and bodyworkers have also participated.

For 15 years now I’ve been a coach helping individuals get what they really, really want. I consider myself fortunate to do what I do … it’s an honour to be granted up close and personal access into a fellow human being’s world. My clients have taught me so much about this challenging, diverse and magical thing called life.

As my increasingly silver hair can attest to, I’ve been a Process Professional for two decades now. And the common denominator for successful Process Work in my opinion, whether with groups or individuals, is POSITIVE and HIGHER ENERGY.

I was catching up with a colleague of mine last week who I go WAY BACK with … we both got our start in visual process work at The Grove Consultants in San Francisco about 20 years ago (thank you David Sibbet).

I just finished leading 5 days of beginning and advanced trainings on working visually with groups and individuals (aka Graphic Recording, Graphic Facilitation and Graphic Coaching). As a result, a new cohort of Process Professionals are in the midst of integrating visual skills into their toolkits and practices.

Losing your faith in institutions, authority figures, colleagues or clients is not an easy situation. Perhaps you are going through this yourself right now. You are employed and your faith in the company, leaders, co-workers, work or product has waned. Or, maybe you are a self employed Process Professional (which many of my readers are) and you have contracts but they don’t feel so great to you anymore (if they ever did).

Working visually in Process Work with groups and individuals is growing rapidly. Having been a practitioner for over 20 years (a teacher for 15 of those years) I often encounter people who are really attracted to the visual way of working but are worried they can’t do it because they “aren’t artists”.

I’ve been chewing my way, as many of us have, through the crazy going ons of late in our world (financial strife, wars, violence, militarization of communities, disease, environment degradation, etc). The SHIFT is upon us … its make or break time. Are we going to evolve to a higher level of being in this world… or not? I say yes, let’s do it … how about you?

Business and Life Coaching are offerings in my suite of services. I work mostly with Process Professionals (either internal within organizations and/or with external solo practices) and also progressive business owners and managers of various sorts. And I use a whole range of left-brain and right-brain approaches with my clients.

A few posts ago I shared my left-brain journey. Now I’m going to share my right-brain journey. Not as a narcissistic exercise or true confessions but rather to hopefully be of help and service to others.

I’m in the midst of evolving my website and offerings again to keep pace with my continued evolution. What I really want to do is write and share my ‘right brain story’ — as exciting developments have occurred these last few years (like kundalini awakening!). However, in order to do that, I’m being guided to first attend to my left-brain story … as it’s due for some updating.

Writing a post on the left and right brain has been brewing within me for a while. More particularly, I’ve been gathering speed for an impassioned holler for equal respect for the right brain as well as the value of integration between BOTH sides of the brain – taking a decidedly HOLISTIC approach.

As per usual, we have a great cohort in SHIFT-IT Online (online coaching group using my Visual Maps to aid professional and personal shifts). I run this program twice a year and it’s also a pre-requisite for Visual Coach Certification (for coaches, therapists and other helping professionals to work visually with their own clients and use my tools in their own practice).

At the time of writing (February 2015) I feel it’s fair to say that our world is in a swirl of chaos. Environmental degradation is closing in on us. Our financial system is in unethical disarray (greatly in need of a reboot). Surveillance of our every digital move is supposedly commonplace (thanks Snowden for heads up). The powers to be (or want to be), in various regions, go back and forth trying to out do each other with sick displays of atrocity and mayhem.

Every week I do Exploratory Calls with people from various places that contact me because they are attracted to things I do and teach. This week I found myself repeating several statements to the folks I chatted with … which made me think “this would be a good eZine article” … so here it is:

As a Process Professional (visual facilitator, visual coach, energy worker and educator), I often have to introduce myself and/or set context about my work before landing or diving into an engagement. A tool that helps me do that, both online and in-person is my “Visual Bio”.

Whether you are an old hand at Visual Coaching or are completely new to it, we can all benefit from reflecting on our lives every once in a while: to identify what mid-course corrections we might want to make. Sooooo, in the spirit of this holiday season … I’m gifting you my Mini SHIFT-IT Retreat, complete with 4 Visual Maps and Instruction eBook.

Working visually, whether in a group or individual setting, can be very effective when done correctly. I’ve been in the Interactive-Visuals field since the mid 1990s – and have worked in all of the four main genres: studio work, graphic recording, graphic facilitation and graphic coaching.

As the field continues to expand and generate more and more interest, I find it’s helpful for people new to the field (either as practitioners or clients) to understand the four main ways of working visually and how they are similar …

As the SHIFT-IT Coach, I’m always on the look out for effective methods that help my clients SHIFT be it professional or personal, or BOTH (which is usually the case because our mind/body doesn’t operate in silos).

About a year ago I dove into learning BodyTalk, a consciousness based method with wide-ranging scope. I’m LOVING it.

One of my clients left her scientific career in the summer, to pursue her passion for Graphic Recording full-time. As such, one of her first strategies upon leaving (after taking a few weeks to decompress, relax and have some fun) was to dive in and work on her identity, brand and refresh her website … to better reflect who she is now.

This article is for the visual practitioners who are connected with me (i.e. folks learning and/or already engaged in visual process work with groups and/or individuals: i.e. graphic recording, graphic facilitation, graphic coaching and the like). In particular, this article is for those who notice they have hesitancy about the visual way of working, even more particularly about working large and being SEEN.

I attract a lot of other Process Professionals in my work. Some want to add visual skills to their toolkits or enhance the ones they already have. Others seek help in building their practices. Others want to shift their personal or spiritual lives. In this interesting mix I also encounter professionals who do process work with groups, who want to shift into working with individuals…

I had a Distance Session client earlier this week … a follow-up with a woman who took my Fundamentals of Interactive-Visuals course last season. She’s doing phenomenal … weaving the visual way of working into her current work and also strategizing a 6-month transition plan to launch into an independent practice.

I’m technically on vacation (even though I’m holed up in the lovely Palm Desert Public Library writing this Zine until I can check into my latest hotel on my road trip).

I just spent a week in the California Desert of the Mojave Preserve … right near the spectacular Joshua Tree National Park. It’s the middle of August, so it is HOT, HOT, HOT (although the locals say its actually a cool year). Kinda makes me think of the old adage about mad dogs and Englishmen, but in this case it’s a Canadian woman!

I’m writing this issue of The SHIFT-IT eZine on a new modality I’ve been exploring and learning this year … called BodyTalk. A few months ago I blogged about my initial explorations via an in-person special I offered folks here in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada (click here for previous post).

I’ve operated my own facilitation- coaching-training biz since 2001. When I made the leap to the independent lifestyle, I was excited but scared as heck. Along the way I have learned A LOT not only about how to survive running a process based business but how to thrive doing what I love.

Abraham-Hicks, one of my favorites for Law of Attraction info, is currently touring their way through the Pacific Northwest … in the general vicinity of where I live.

Every year they make a stop in Portland and Seattle and an unofficial one in Victoria, British Columbia (my town), as we’re the last port of call on their Alaskan cruise. A vibrational stalker, I usually stroll the breakwater that evening to tap into their vibe in the air, hehe. Hoping I’ll get an Esther Hicks sighting (Esther, come take a stroll with me and JJ (Jerry Jr!) we’ll meet you on the dock!).

I had an interesting conversation with a wanna be Graphic Recorder last week that I wanna share … My flagship training program is FUNDAMENTALS OF INTERACTIVE-VISUALS. It teaches other Process Professionals (consultants, facilitators, trainers, managers, coaches, therapists, educators, budding scribes) how to effectively use visuals in their work with different kinds of groups and individuals.

I’m in the biz of helping grown adults SHIFT. And I do a lot of SHIFTing myself in the process too – as like attracts like. Often my clients are in the midst of a big developmental step. They are either younger folks (25-45) who really want to get clarity and traction on their professional and/or personal ‘IT’. Or more seasoned folks (45-65 … I’m in that category now so I can call us seasoned!) who had clarity and its changed on them – so they are in the process of determining what is now right for them (i.e. mid-life transition).

2014 was launched with a very special experience, the passing of my lovely Aunt Rose Mary, after a long illness … just 5 days into the year. As such, I’ve been in a thoughtful state this past month, as my family and I come to terms with her passing, each in our own way. Part of my way is to write, share and pass along lessons learned.

Whether you’ve been doing personal visioning and planning work for a while, or are new to it, we can all benefit from doing a Mini SHIFT-IT Retreat every once in a while: checking in on how our life is going and what mid-course corrections we might want to make.

I’m right smack in the middle of leading Fundamentals of Interactive-Visuals, the online version of my visual skills course for Process Professionals who work with groups and/or individuals.

Every offering we attract wonderful people with a diversity of backgrounds and interest areas. However this fall’s cohort was particularly interesting to me as several attendees are well versed in neuroscience and multiple intelligences – a topic very new to me.

This article is the third in a 3-part series. The first article explained how Authors, Speakers and Trainers can use Interactive-Visuals to better their work. The second article explained how Organizational Leaders, Consultants and Facilitators most commonly use the visual approach. And this final article, explains how Interactive-Visuals are used effectively in coaching, therapy, counseling and other personal development work (a topic close to my heart).

Note: This article is the second in a 3-part series. The first article explained how Authors, Speakers and Trainers can use Interactive-Visuals to better their work . In today’s article, the second in the series, I’ll explain how Organizational Leaders, Consultants and Facilitators most commonly use the visual approach. And in an upcoming third article, I’ll explain how Interactive-Visuals are used effectively in coaching, therapy, counseling and other personal development work (a topic close to my heart).

I was just on vacation in Mexico at a health spa and participated in the obligatory introduction round of new members. We shared our name, geography, something we were passionate about and something we could teach others. My answers were … Christina, Victoria, British Columbia, Law of Attraction and “I can teach you a visual method to powerfully improve the effectiveness of your professional work with groups or individuals”.

A few weeks ago I hosted our annual in-person Fundamentals of Interactive-Visuals workshop (beginning course that preps you on the four main ways of working visually). I also just completed the core training for this season’s cohort of Certified Visual Coaches. In both these experiences, I answered questions on the merits of in-person work vs working virtually (electronically) with clients. So the topic of today’s eZine is front and center in my mind.

It’s a busy and fun May. My Magic Marker Masterminders are coming for a retreat (as you read this, we’ll be smack in the middle of Day 1). And the week after that I travel to co-host a 2-day retreat for our THEO Accelerator. Both of these programs, in one way or the other, support participants in defining and aligning with their “IT” … most often some sort of helping or process professional venture (be it as a coach, therapist, counselor, consultant, facilitator, trainer, visual scribe, empathy/intuitive or other process oriented role). And, given my visual predilections, some are keen to integrate visual tools into how they work too.

One of the things we do here at SHIFT-IT Coach, Inc. is help people define and manifest their professional and personal goals. While this work is very rewarding overall, anybody who tells you that going for your goals is all sugar and spice and everything nice, is … well, full of #@!* (insert expletive of your choice).

Given the supportive and personal nature of the work we do here at SHIFT-IT Coach, Inc., its not unusual for clients to send us updates about how they are, what they are doing, and indicate how the outer and/or inner work they did with us has continued to impact them … often with expressions of appreciations.

Whether you’ve been doing personal visioning and planning work for a while, or are new to it, we can all benefit from doing a Mini SHIFT-IT Retreat every once in a while: checking in on how our life is going and what mid-course corrections we might want to make

Back in the day when I studied Organizational Development, we learned a model of development for teams called The Tuckman Model. And it’s something I’ve come back to again and again in the decades since in my facilitation and coaching work … it’s a model that has really stood the test of time, not only in my practice but for process consultants across the globe.

The leaves are a lovely smattering of colours here in the Pacific Northwest. As fall descends upon us and we nestle in for cozy time, switching out light clothes for heavier ones and taking a more insular approach to the gorgeous environment we live in.

I’m feeling that satisfying ‘back to school’ vibe too … as all fall courses are up and running and I’m having fun meeting new students and connecting further with ones I’ve worked with before (with Yorkie JJ on my lap as I run the webinars).

It’s been a fascinating fall so far … I feel like my Inner Being has pushed the accelerator button … sending me into rocket mode! Ahhas, insights, breakthroughs, clarity, momentum … is happening at such a rapid speed. Do you feel that push of energy too? And I’m not talking caffeine! The intensity factor seems to have gone up another notch with our individual and collective SHIFTS. And those who are sensitive can consciously feel the acceleration occurring. It can be very uncomfortable at times (as negativity and old ways of being are transmuted) but an exciting process for sure!

September is one of the consistently lovely months on Canada’s west coast. As such, I have been taking advantage of our lovely weather before the rainforest showers kick in. Normally I wouldn’t be up to catch the dawn like this … but J.J. my new Yorkie (and his teeny bladder) have successfully turned me into a morning person where nothing else has. Well, he gets me up … I’m still working on being chipper at that hour.

As the SHIFT-IT Coach, I help fascinating individuals get their ‘it’ into the world. Your ‘it’ may have a visual component or your creativity may be expressed in other ways. Whatever expression your creativity takes, our work together is a process of helping you discover your innate signature style.

Lately I’ve been experiencing some similar conversations … chats with my students, mentees and interested bystanders about how to persuade authority figures who are skeptical about the visual way of working. And I figured it warranted an article.

Spring has sprung. The early cherry trees have burst into bloom … this morning as I walked back from the gym it was like walking through petal snow … so many of them blowing through the morning breeze.

Things are going really great these last few weeks. Really hitting our stride in this season’s programs. SHIFT-IT Online wrapped up after its 7 week run … wonderfully supportive cohort with members with a high degree of personal awareness and ability to be vulnerable and share. A real pleasure.

2012 started with a whimper (me in bed with a nasty flu … hate it when I get time off and that happens) but now it’s off to a BANG … with lots of course registrations and private coaching & private training inquiries flooding in.

As a coach I love the New Year energy … and this year is such a special one too!

Every year I gift my readers a ‘Mini SHIFT-IT Retreat” tool set … so see this issue’s article for exactly that. It’s a way for you to harness the New Year energy and do some powerful personal visioning for yourself … in a visual way of course!

I’ve had an ‘interesting’ fall with lots of changes. Good change … but even positive change requires some integration time.

While not a big T.V. watcher generally … I’ve found myself cocooned in front of the tube (or more accurately my laptop screen) as the days have grown shorter and darker … being a voyeur on other people’s transformation experiences.

Last week I heard the news on the passing of Jerry Hicks from Abraham-Hicks – a man who through his wonderful work has influenced me deeply.

I only met Jerry in person once (briefly on one of the Abraham-Hicks cruises). But I, like so many from around the world, feel a strong affinity with him and his mission via The Abraham-Hicks teachings.

You’d have to be living under a rock to have not got a whiff of the 2012 speculation. In a nutshell, its all sorts of theories that propose that this year (and/or the years leading up to and following it) are special. The depth and breadth of that specialness is what varies. Some think our world is going to be obliterated. Others think we are going through a dimensional shift (3D, 4D, 5D … which we may or may not recognize when it happens … or its going to happen to some but not others). Others think it’s all a bunch of bogus hogwash.

Interactive-Graphics is a wonderful way to work – whether in a group or individual setting. I’ve been in the overall field for 17 years now – and have worked in all of the four main genres: custom chart work, graphic recording, graphic facilitation and graphic coaching.

I was recently reading Jane Fonda’s new Prime Time book (having really enjoyed her autobiography a few years back). In both, she talks about the power of reviewing one’s life and the positive impact doing so had on her ability to navigate her next chapter with grace.

I was interviewed about my Graphic Coaching niche for an American T.V. show earlier in the year … called Meet the Experts.

While Arielle Ford and I didn’t have time to go into it, many people ask me how I came to have such an unusual profession … so this article outlines the evolution of Graphic Coaching and the path I took to create this my unique work and how I now teach others to do it too.

I’m an independent professional — and most of the people I coach are too (or they want to be). As such, the summertime presents an interesting opportunity for those of us who are consultants, facilitators, trainers, coaches and the like. With over a decade of being self-employed, I’d like to offer a few suggestions for those who might be newer to the terrain … so you can truly enjoy this special time of year.

About 18 months ago I was feeling the pull to create a new program. A program where I would teach my clients not only about the online way of working but also about the other side of business expansion — emotional and energetic mastery. Something that most online biz programs do a poor job of addressing, if at all.

When I’m really busy I look for simple ways to shift my energy and step out of my own life for a while – get a ‘different vibe’ so to speak. I like to put myself into someone else’s shoes — so I can lose myself in their world (and vicariously learn a bit in the process too).

I tend to write The SHIFT-IT e-Zine around actual things that are happening in my own SHIFT-IT process and that of my clients – and this issue is no exception. Unfortunately the subject is betrayal, or at least perception of betrayal. Lately I have had a series of betrayals and so have some of my clients (Law of Attraction tends to work that way). Long-term friends or clients doing crappy things, esteemed mentors being hostile, employers or employees being self-centered and dates/mates acting out. Seems to be in the air lately for a lot of us.

I’m coming off a busy and buzzing week … providing ongoing coaching to my Biz and Life Accelerators (incubator where I teach the basics of building an online biz while simultaneously doing your inner work), launching the 2011 cohort of Certified Graphic Coaches, and putting together two new webinar series to run late May – early July with wonderful collaborators.

This week marks the tenth year anniversary of me going into business for myself. Back in 2001, I left an internal position that had served me very well … as a Graphic Recorder/Facilitator/Trainer for The Grove Consultants International (pioneering group graphics firm in San Francisco founded by David Sibbet). It was a heck of a time to leave and make the leap into self-employment … given September 11th occurred later that year (one of many trying events that the American economy has been dealt this decade). But these things are only known in hindsight of course!

In my role as The SHIFT-IT Coach I have the honor of observing many different types of people up close in the sanctity of our coaching alliance. My clients hire me because they want a SHIFT … usually in the area of ‘right livelihood’ … either creating a solo professional practice of some sort or a related small-medium size business, or enhancing an already existing one (taking it to the next level). I also assist on life issues, like resolving family conflicts, relationship dilemmas and occasionally body, fitness and health concerns — as these more personal aspects are often connected to the business or lifestyle shift they desire.

After the initial round of soothing, see how what you are saying is ‘landing’ with your orphan. Are they taking it in? Are they understanding what you are saying to them? Find out if there is anything else that they are concerned or confused about and explain that layer of things to them too.

Do you ever get overly emotionally triggered by things in your life? Do you seem to react more than is necessary? Is old baggage preventing you from creating what you really want in your life now? If so, my latest visual map, called “Orphan Rescue”, is an integration tool that unlocks the mystery as to why you react the way you do and how to SHIFT-IT — so you can create the life that you really want.

As a coach (with a pioneering visual approach) I’m a huge proponent of literally mapping out your vision (your desired destination) as well as your game plan (actions to reach that destination). However, I’m an even bigger proponent of clarifying and doing your INNER WORK … getting to the heart of what is causing interference (resistance) with what you want … if writing and implementing a vision and action plan just isn’t enough to quickly manifest what you want (which in many cases it isn’t).

Whether you’ve been doing personal visioning and planning work for a while, or are new to it, we can all benefit from doing a Mini SHIFT-IT Retreat every once in a while: checking in on how our life is going and what mid-course corrections we might want to make.

I had a very exciting past week – just got back from San Diego where I taped an American television show called “Meet the Experts”. The host, Arielle Ford, is a well known Law of Attraction author and publicist to well known personal growth gurus Marianne Williamson, Deepak Chopra, Louse Hay, Debbie Ford and Wayne Dyer.

Earlier this year I kicked off a brand new, deluxe coaching program … called The Biz and Life Accelerator (applications now complete for this year). It is a 9-month Elite Mastermind of solo entrepreneurs and small business owners in the 50-300K range. We apply both outer and inner work models to growing our businesses and ourselves.

On Twitter last week I was asked about my favorite book recommendations. Erin Kreeger from Ontario, Canada was asking for my favs in the graphic facilitation and visual thinking genre. Inspired by her question I’ve decided to expand the genre to my overall ‘Acceleration Reading Picks’ … the Top 10 books that have influenced me in my biz and life SHIFT.

Wow, things have been accelerating in my world — how about yours?! We are in the midst of building a new website … today’s new e-zine design is the look of things to come. We also started two new programs this month … an online version of my Fundamentals of Interactive-Graphics course and also my premium Biz and Life Accelerator (incubator that focuses on both the outer world tools of using an online biz model and the inner world skills of aligning your energy and mood via Law of Attraction and Soul Integration techniques). I am thrilled with how both groups are proceeding!

In the last few weeks I have been blown away by the rapid expansion that is occurring around me — of the visual way of working, the acceptance of the importance of inner work & energetics and to the blooming of my students, mentees and workshop attendees as they unfold in their own unique ways.

I’ve been doing a lot of visioning work lately — with corporate graphic facilitation clients, with drop-in coaching clients on the Monday night SHIFT-IT Central calls, and with applicants to my new Biz and Life Accelerator. During some of these experiences I have been reminded of a useful visioning and Law of Attraction rule — go as specific as it still feels good. In this article I’m going to explain what that means and give examples of how you can get this rule working for you.

There often comes a time in life … sometimes several times, when we feel the need to get serious and ‘put the pedal to the metal’ so to speak — on accelerating some or several aspects of our life. As The SHIFT-IT Coach, people in this stage are usually my best clients. They are ready to make a SHIFT and are determined to make it a successful one. And they know that getting good, quality instruction and support will make their SHIFT quicker and more efficient. And softer and sweeter by having the company of inspiring others by their side.

Interactive-Graphics is a wonderful way to work – whether in a group or individual setting. I’ve been in the overall field for 17 years now – and have worked in all of the four main genres: custom chart work, graphic recording, graphic facilitation and graphic coaching.

I spend a lot of my work time helping individuals, groups and organizations figure out what they want and how to go about getting it. A key ingredient in that recipe is creating a compelling and engaging Vision. Identifying one’s desires then painting a sensory rich picture of that compelling destination as a preliminary step to manifesting it

This week my team and I launched a new program at SHIFT-IT Coach, Inc. The new program is called SHIFT-IT Central® and its weekly time is Mondays at 5 pm pacific.

It’s a low-fee weekly program for new and seasoned SHIFTers … a supportive community to learn and effectively apply SHIFT-IT, Law of Attraction and Soul Integration principles to your evolving journey.

I’m in Southern California this week, in the La Jolla and Del Mar area. Julie (my biz manager) and I attended a training conference and I added on a few days afterwards – to check out the area and have some peaceful thinking and writing time.

Manifestation lessons show up in the most interesting places – this week it was on a sunny golf course.

I’m on the wait list for a one-year trial membership at a golf club where my parents have been members for years (the lovely Royal Colwood course here in Victoria, British Columbia). I could tell a funny story about one of the sand traps on a Friday night in high school … but I’ll restrain myself.

I have been exposed to a lot of techniques and approaches over my career and I have made a very conscious decision to primarily work in the ‘INTERACTIVE-GRAPHICS’ medium (meaning I use graphics and visuals to help facilitate reflection and decision making for groups and individuals). I’ve made this decision because working graphically is so effective and rewarding.

I had a personality test done a few years ago – back when I was in a coaching group with some other online entrepreneurs. It gave me some really revealing results about myself and my style of relating. Or, should I say, my styles (plural) of relating.

You have a goal or a whole set of them. You figure out your Vision. You create and implement a plan. You deal with your own ‘Trouble at the Border’ issues … all those little (and sometimes big) internal and external gremlins along your path. And your New World and New Self begins to manifest right before your eyes.

In my own private coaching practice, I’ve encountered several clients, in varying places from around the world (Vancouver, London and Miami) who were vibrational stuck in the process of selling their home and came to me for some ‘SHIFT-IT’ coaching to get their process smoothly flowing. Here are some concepts and ideas from these sessions to help you if you are in a similar situation:

As its February, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. I have really fond memories of this celebration as a little girl. I think its then that I first discovered my love of paper and design – those cool little Valentines Day kits … of hearts with the little perforated edges that you popped out to give to your friends (the smell of the heavy pink and red inks, all the writing of heartfelt notes and the inevitable paper cuts).

I’ve opted to write this issue’s article on the shift from working inside an organization to ‘going out on your own’ – becoming an independent solo practitioner and/or small business owner … and how to plot your plan to do so.

Getting reports back from my Graphic Coaching Clinic graduates – about how they are integrating their new skills. Congrats to Kelly for a successful reception to the Process Overview Map she created and used the very next week with her Nation. To Martine for the fabulous visual handout she posted on the Global Community of Graphic Coaches Facebook page – and to Ann on getting in weekly icon practice and moving forward on her Life Preserver visual tools. Keep the reports coming in ladies and get your private mentor call booked – I love helping you to integrate your visual learning! us attendees are making great headway …or marker way more accurately!

Hi there 🙂 … right now I’m standing in a room that is pretty much papered from wall to ceiling – filled with all sorts of visual work. It’s the third and final day of The Graphic Coaching Clinic – and my fabulous attendees are making great headway …or marker way more accurately!

We’ve had such an excellent summer here in beautiful British Columbia that I (as the sun worshiper that I am) am reluctant to let the season slip away.

However, I soothe myself with the thought ‘you can always travel to the sun when you want to’. So visions of Palm Desert in December make me perk up. Ahhhhhh, a rainy winter isn’t so bad when I break it up with a few little travel trips!

I’m enjoying the last weeks of summer here on the west coast. Beautiful dawns and pretty sunsets – it continues to be a lovely season. The fall is lining up nicely. There are three programs I’m facilitating: the SHIFT-IT Virtual Group that starts this Saturday. The Manifestation Mastermind in Oct. Followed by The Graphic Coaching Clinic (skills training) in early November. As much as I enjoy summer, I’m ready to get into some coaching and graphics skills training with you all!

We’ve been having a heat wave here in Victoria, British Columbia the last while (makes up for the lousy summer in ‘07 when it rained for two months!). Heat wave for us means we jumped from 20s to 30s (got consistently over 100° F). I know, not a big deal for some of you … but its record breaking for us islanders – wink! Even slept on my roof deck one night to keep cool (natural A/C) … watching the stars.

Ahhhh, I love the Pacific Northwest summer. With early birthday celebrations (the real day is Tuesday but I will be working), going over to Seattle to catch the Abraham-Hicks workshop, and seeing all sorts of new and old friends – well, let’s just say I have been having A LOT of fun lately.

Spring has sprung in Victoria — trees are bursting into leaf, cruise ships are in port and I’m hauling the deck furniture back out. There is something so stabilizing about the reliable ebb and flow of the seasons isn’t there!

Wow, its May already isn’t it! How did that happen? Time is flying by. With my first ever Graphic Coaching Clinic just around the corner, I’m preparing for the great group of folks that are coming (from all across North America and two from the U.K. even!). Fascinating people with all sorts of diverse backgrounds – the common denominator is they all resonate with the visual way of working and want foundational skills to apply to their own coaching, consulting and training processes.

It’s been a whirlwind of good stuff since I got back from the Abraham-Hicks Mexico Cruise. Right away I was back in connection with Abraham … as Hay House Radio offered a call-in show with Jerry and Esther Hicks. And I made it on as a caller!

Well, I’m back from the Abraham Hicks cruise down in Mexico … and quite frankly, I’m now missing the warmth, the beauty and the relaxation. Ahhhhh, I wish they offered their cruises for two weeks instead of just one.

What do Canadians do in the midst of gloomy February … head to the nearest sunny locale! Luckily I’ve figured out a way to combine the pursuit of sun with something that warms my heart and mind too – the soothing guidance of ‘Abraham’ via the work of Esther and Jerry Hicks.

Made you look with that title didn’t I!? What’s the dirty word I’m talking about – ‘internet marketing’.

You’ve probably noticed that I use a variety of internet marketing and visibility tools to get the word out about me and my work. And as such, a good portion of my client base is at least somewhat interested in how to use the internet to promote their own niches. I say ‘somewhat’ because they have varying degrees of internet marketing and sales resistance – and its that resistance that I’d like to help shift in this article.

There must be something in the air right now, because a lot of my clients are focusing on ‘relationship’ in their coaching sessions. Either that, or its just good old ‘like attracts like’ happening as this is an area that I’m focusing on presently– so I’m attracting matching clients. It’s amazing how that works.

Whether you’ve been doing personal visioning and planning work for a while, or are new to it, we can all benefit from doing a Mini SHIFT-IT Retreat every once in a while: checking in on how our life is going and what mid-course corrections we might want to make.

I knew this week that I wanted to write something about the visual approach. Something about the importance of our creative sides and ‘art’ in general. Something about the INTEGRATION and importance of both sides of our brain – the rational AND the creative.

From all appearances, the world seems to be going a little haywire here in late 2008. The environment is taking a beating, the economy is going through global testing of a new level, and many people are uncomfortably suffering through situations that they feel they ‘have to’ do rather than want to do.

As I backed my car out of the garage, focusing on the mirror that was close to the wall … I heard a sickening crunch on the other side of the car. In my haste to get to the airport and my focus on the mirror side, I had left my driver’s side door wide open … and driven it right into the doorway … Crap! No damage to the garage entrance thankfully – but I did a real number on my car window. It wouldn’t close properly … a good five-inch gap. No way could I leave it parked at the airport in rainy November weather like that. So, I re-parked it in the garage and called a cab.

As a Law of Attraction practitioner I’m doing my conscious best to bring this philosophy and way of being into my business and into its organizational culture – to walk my talk. To not only coach others in how to use these powerful principles in their work and life but to build a congruent business and working environment that practices what it preaches.

It’s been a windy time of late with the economic and political happenings in the U.S. and abroad whipping up an emotional and physical storm. And a hugely important time from a vibrational standpoint – because, how we focus now will determine what kind of future we create individually and collectively.

Social demographers and researchers have been tracking the emergence of a new category of people in the last 50 years. Known by several labels (‘cultural creatives’ ‘integrals’ and ‘greens‘) this group of 50 million (25% of the adult population in North America and an additional 80-90 million estimated in Europe) is unique for their shared interests in ecology/global awareness, social justice, self-actualization, spirituality and self-expression.

I have a guilty pleasure confession to make – I’m a bit of a DVD nut. Lately I’ve been blitzing through the third season of a favorite National Geographic channel show, called the ‘Dog Whisperer’. Have you seen or heard of it? It follows the ins and outs of ‘dog psychology expert’ Cesar Millan.

Business growth is learning how to work effectively with the Law of Attraction (LOA) – and both can take a while to get the hang of! There are times when you are sailing along and all is going fantastic (when you are in alignment) and other times when you can’t seem to do anything right and attract one tough situation after another (not in alignment).

After 14+ years I’m pulling down my shingle as a graphic facilitator and graphic recorder (using visuals in large group settings) in order to devote more time and space for my rapidly growing ‘graphic coaching’ business (using visuals in smaller settings with individuals, couples and biz partners). November marks my last Meeting Graphics 101 training ever… so in homage to my graphic past… here’s an article about the benefits of these wonderful group skills with some tips for beginners entering the field.

I just got back from an intense ‘success workshop’ that rattled me (some of the things modeled about wealth acquisition and law of attraction methods, while not necessarily incorrect, did rub against my value system). Those of you who have been on my list for a while, realize that over the last several years, I’ve been incorporating more and different types of marketing techniques in my own coaching and info product practice. This issue’s article is a bit of self-therapy … to help me articulate what I believe and stand for on these interesting topics.

Did you know that in dreams, a house almost universally is a symbol for one’s life? That this dream imagery is an archetype that transcends all borders and cultures – a sign of just how important homes and living spaces are to the human psyche.

Been working in a certain area for a long time? Ready to move into newer territory? I hear ya! But how do you know when it’s truly time to go? Listening to these signals can make your SHIFT easier and smoother … and enable you to make your transition in style.

The last few days I’ve been watching a remarkable documentary series that has interesting considerations when one looks at it from a SHIFT-IT and Law of Attraction perspective. The series is called “Up”… 7 Up, 14 Up, 21 Up, 28 Up, 35 Up, 42 Up and 48 Up. Have you seen it?

We’ve all have them. Sometimes they last a short period. Sometimes they last weeks, months, years, decades – yikes, perhaps even a lifetime. I’m talking about downward spirals. Where negatives things pile one on top of another, until it seems that is the only reality that exists.

One of my SHIFT IT clients, Margaret from Denmark, asked me during one of her coaching calls to explain what my daily practice is like. She wanted to know what a regular day was like for me and what I do to live the SHIFT-IT and Law of Attraction principles that I teach and preach.

It’s OK to Follow Your Bliss: Chances are, you already at least somewhat know what you like and want in your profession and personal life. If so, let me emphasis that it is ok for you to follow your own bliss. It’s ok to be into things that others around you perhaps don’t understand or get (at least not yet). We are each wired with our own likes and preferences. So, start following the things that YOU like most — the things, ideas, experiences that bring you joy and pleasure (even if you have NO CLUE about ‘how to make money’ with them).

Ok, if you have been reading me for a while, you know my current idols are Jerry and Esther Hicks of The Teachings of Abraham fame. Maybe you are sick of reading about my fascination with Law of Attraction (LOA), but frankly, I just can’t get enough of this great information. I’ve been studying it since 2000, but this year I’m finally, really getting it (after listening to over a decade of their recordings since I got my hands on their full collection a year ago!)

It’s a brand new year. And in January, the news media trots out the different experts to talk about goals, aspirations and new year resolutions. I totally believe in the ability of people to change their lives (if I didn’t … it really wouldn’t sense for me to be called The SHIFT-IT Coach now would it?!). However most of this advice tends to be pretty boring and conservative – the same old, same old.

Whether you’ve been doing personal visioning and planning work for a while, or are new to it, we can all benefit from doing a Mini SHIFT-IT Retreat every once in a while: checking in on how our life is going and what mid-course corrections we might want to make. Ideal times to conduct a mini retreat are late December / early January when a brand new year is upon you, when you have some vacation time to step out of your usual existence, or the anniversary date of a particular event or coaching alliance (for example, clients will often do a review session like this on the anniversary date of their initial SHIFT-IT retreat with me to freshen things up).

In order to become a match to the things that we really, really want in our lives, we first need to vibrate like them. That means we need to somehow come into the same energy or frequency as them. My Law of Attraction teachers, Esther and Jerry Hicks (via the teachings of Abraham) have many processes that will help us do this. Right now I’d like share one of those processes with you – a deceptively simple one called ‘Positive Aspects’. And, as I’m a ‘graphic coach’, I’ve created a visual map to aid you in doing this, so you can even more deliberately focus your thoughts and feelings.

This week I celebrate and relinquish an old identity and step fully into a new one – and boy does it feel good! After 12+ years as a strategic planning facilitator, change management consultant and graphic mapmaker – I am ‘folding up my flipchart stand’ so to speak, in order to focus exclusively on my SHIFT-IT graphic coaching and law of attraction practice. So, in this article, I’m going tell you how I made my own shift, so you can apply the same SHIFT-IT principles to your own career and lifestyle change.

“Be a creator, rather than a regurgitator of what is”. How’s that for an opening line – out of the mouth of Abraham, my favorite Law of Attraction source. Couldn’t think of a better way to grab your attention – to the importance of getting your focus off of your present situation and onto what you really do want – that creation that lies beyond your regurgitated status quo.

A few issues back I wrote a tips sheet on how to create a Vision Board (otherwise knows as vision collage, or treasure map). A great preliminary visioning exercise that helps you begin to define what it is you next want for yourself in your life. As discussed, there are lots of other ways to do visioning work beyond this classic exercise. I’ll list a few here, however I think its worth going into why visioning is a useful thing to do, regardless of what method you use.

Feeling kind of off? Energy being sapped? Not as satisfied as you used to be? Chances are one (or several) of the eight main areas of your life are not functioning as well as they could be. As a first step to realignment, may I suggest doing a Life Wheel on yourself. A handy little tool that will help you quickly and easily pinpoint what areas are out of whack and provide the inspiration and motivation to get you back on track.

Urrrggghhhh, doesn’t it suck when you get in those situations where something or somebody really gets to you. Maybe it’s an unpleasant work situation with an employer, client or colleague, or a personal one with a friend or family member. Or some sort of agency, organization or outfit you have to deal with that isn’t going well. Whatever the players, the energy is still the same: it feels like something is being done onto you and you’ve lost your sense of personal power and control. And, ultimately, you want to get it back and feel good again.

In the underground hit movie The Secret (introductory movie on Law of Attraction principles), there is a scene where a man unpacks and shows his Vision Board to his young son, only to realize that they are now living in the very house that was pictured on his board (created several years prior). And, during one of Oprah’s recent shows on The Secret, guest Lisa Nichols showed her Vision Board – in it were the words ‘Lisa Reveals All on Oprah’ – she definitely manifested that one!

Last week I hosted one of my Graphic Bootcamps: an advanced skills training workshop for people who want to learn more about the graphic way of working with groups and individuals. I noticed a really interesting trait in my attendees: a lot of them are just itchin’ to make their work more fulfilling and interesting – to try something new (in this case – using graphics in their work).

Question: What is an effective way to speed up my manifestation process? Answer: Get happy about where you currently are. Yup, getting ok with where you currently are is a great way to get what you eventually want.

Transitioning? Ready for a change? Want to become your next self? Now is a great time to do some good reflection and shift work on you and your life. Stake out your vision, determine your next steps – deal with that itty bitty shitty committee that is keeping you from moving forward.

Law of Attraction is turning up all over the place it seems (actually that is part of the law!). Perhaps you have been hearing about it? Its getting a lot of play in movies like The Secret and What the Bleep Do We Know, etc. My favorite teachers of it, Esther and Jerry Hicks (ala Abraham), are topping the charts with their books on the subject: Law of Attraction, Ask and It Is Given, and The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent.

Sick of what you are doing? Ready to leave your old world but not sure what your new world is? In that painful in-between place? Ahhhhhh transitions. The tricky challenge of moving from one world or way of being into another. When life kicks us out of our comfort zone so we can become our next self.

I have a guilty pleasure confession to make – I’m a bit of a DVD nut. I watch a lot of movies (especially when I get fed up with TV and have my cable disconnected). Lately I’ve been blitzing through the first season of this National Geographic channel show, called the ‘Dog Whisperer’.

Graphic coaching is a new, visual way to do coaching and personal development work. This article gives you the lowdown on this emerging methodology: the who, what, where, when and why of it, as well as a little bit of the how thrown in for good measure…

Visual bios are really handy documents – they are a creative and unique way to summarize and share your career path with others. I’ve seen them applied in job interviews, grad school applications, used by CEOs, experts, workshop leaders, etc to communicate the path of their development, etc. They are different from the Life and History Maps that I’ve written of before – Visual Bios focus pretty strictly on your career or professional path (as opposed to your whole life)…

We’ve all have them. Sometimes they last a short period. Sometimes they last weeks, months, years, decades – yikes, perhaps even a lifetime. I’m talking about downward spirals. Where negatives things pile one on top of another, until it seems that is the only reality that exists. In the last few weeks I’ve fielded several calls from colleagues and friends who are in a down place. They’ve hit a bump, a logjam — what seems…

I have been exposed to a lot of techniques and approaches over my career and I have made a very conscious decision to primarily work in the graphic facilitation medium (meaning I use graphics and visuals to help facilitate thinking and decision making for groups and individuals). I’ve made this decision because …

In the coaching groups I run there are usually at least a third or so of the participants who are single and no longer wish to be — who would like to focus their SHIFT-IT process, at least partially, on shifting the relationship area of their life…

In my SHIFT-IT and Graphic Coaching work I help clients identify what they really, really want and help them get it. One area that commonly comes up is desired changes to their physical body, weight and physique. In working with different clients, male and female, here is some ‘food for thought’ about the issues and complexities connected to this interesting area…

Time and again I encounter clients who sacrifice their own health, mental outlook and well being for work and others. Over time, they have developed unhealthy patterns and habits that accumulate in shocking ways. As entrepreneurs or employees (internal managers and leaders) they don’t eat well, don’t sleep well, don’t take proper time off —- bit by bit they gain weight (or drastically lose it), burn themselves out from constant stress and adrenaline rushes, and develop lifestyles that are unhealthy and unsustainable…

Whether you’ve been working on goal / personal visioning work for a while, or are new to it, we can all benefit from doing a mini visioning process every once in a while; checking in on how our life and its trajectory are going and what mid-course corrections we might want to make. Ideal times to do a check-in on how your life is going are…